To the editor:

Island County Commissioner John Dean cares deeply about our community and the needs of each of his constituents.

As a long-time resident, John strives to preserve the quality of our lives amidst the many difficult budget cuts he has made. His aim is to preserve, maintain and support our community, not to cut services with no regard for those less fortunate.

I am voting for John Dean for he is an honorable man with integrity and works diligently for the benefit of Camano Island and Island County. John Dean cares about all of us, is easily accessible, smart and fiscally careful. I believe we owe John a debt of gratitude, for there is little thanks in being such a committed public servant. We would do well to re-elect him to a second term as our county commissioner, and we should say our thanks when he agrees to once again represent us.

Those who would replace John and undo local government in the name of “freedom” are short-sighted. Paying taxes is not my idea of a good time, too. But paying taxes is about caring beyond one’s self and caring about quality of life for others. We should hold elected officials responsible for ensuring the best value for our money, but to blindly and selfishly cut services to the elderly, children, the mentally ill only ensures the deterioration of what was bought and paid for before us.

In 1901, my grandfather settled on Camano. At that time, islanders walked to the Stilliguamish River and rowed a boat to Stanwood for supplies. Potable water was captured from rain. There was no electrical power, telephone, local police or fire protection, and roads were dirt.

Now, thanks for those who came before us and paid taxes, we have quality roads. We have a stable power source that allows us to draw water from the ground. Our telephones allow us to communicate far and wide. We have emergency services, as well as free access to public schools for all, regardless of one’s ability to pay.

My grandparents and parents were thankful for what they received and were willing, even privileged, to pay taxes. They saw a direct correlation between taxes and quality life for themselves, their neighbors, and for us, the future generations.

When I review my 2010 Island County tax statement, I find that schools, fire and rescue, library, and mosquito protection receive $850 out of every $1,000, while the county receives only $150.

With that $150, we receive roads, drainage projects, public health services; banking and investment services for our school districts, fire districts, and other special purpose districts; police protection, courts, jails, parks, assistance for folks with developmental disabilities, land use enforcement, senior services, administrative staff, buildings and personnel. That looks, to me, like a frugal county government that does not warrant people’s anger, simply because it collects the majority of taxes We The People approved.

And we were right to approve those taxes. Our quality of life is better than that of my grandparents and parents, and it is important that quality of life is also better for my neighbors, those with less, and everyone who follows after us.

Alan S. Hall

Camano Island